Our Spiritual Dash

“Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them…After a long time the master of those returned and settled accounts with them”  Matthew 25:14, 19.

When my aunt died her children included in her funeral a beautiful poem called The Dash.  This poem urged us to consider the way we live our life in between our birth and death.  It is a reminder that we have been given only so many days, and it is up to us as to the manner in which we will live each of them.

Jesus was the original author of this idea in the parable of the tenants.  He told of a master who went on a journey leaving his servants entrusted with his property.  The parable goes on to report the individual contribution made by each servant during the master’s absence.  They all had the same opportunity – to grow the master’s treasure – however, the yield was different for each of them.  When the master returned there was accountability for each servant as it related to his participation, devotion and commitment. 

We all have a spiritual dash that will record the things that God entrusted to each of us, and how effective we were in investing our time and resources.  Did we share our spiritual strengths in deeds, encouragement and kindness?  Did sharing our testimonies assist in multiplying the souls in the kingdom of heaven?  Did we bury opportunities to share and comfort others in the name of our Master?  My Bible’s commentary beautifully supported these thoughts.  ‘Being ready for Christ’s coming involves more than playing it safe and doing little or nothing.  It demands the kind of devoted service in Christ’s kingdom that produces results’ p. 1506.

God has equipped each of us with everything that He has entrusted us with.  It is up to us whether we will live the kind of spiritual dash that we were created to live.  “His divine power has given us everything we need… so that through them you may participate in the divine nature…For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness… knowledge… self-control…perseverance…godliness…brotherly kindness…love.” 2 Peter 1:3-8.

The Word doesn’t state for us to make efforts on Sunday to accomplish this, but rather to make every effort…always.  This means that our dash should be filled with the work of kingdom of Heaven every day…and in every way.